Hiking in Wales – Update 26th November 2018

The Welsh mountains, valleys and countryside is a playground, hiking, walking, biking and for those inclined camping. It takes little over an hour to reach, but you can be lost in the quietness and beauty within minutes.

I was born in Wales and spent a lifetime here, but friends and I have been hiking around North Wales for over 5 years. We started with 2-3 miles and today can cover 10-16 mountain miles in a day. We have covered many of the mountain ranges, and of course completed more than 5 of the major routes up Snowdon itself.

This Blog is the year in photo.. 2017 to current date

26th November 2018 – Cnicht – (10 miles)

We parked in the village, hiked up past the Church and onto the summit. Once there we continued NE and around to the big quarry area, then walked out through the valley

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

Cnicht Hike Nov 2018

8th April 2018 – Snowdon Rhyd-Ddu and Ranger Path – (8 miles)

A return to Snowdon in perparation for Lake District hiking, so we tackle Snowdon from Rhyd-Ddu and return via Ranger Path, for decent training. Great weather on way up, mist and some snow on the summit, lots of people out. Good days hike

17th February 2018 – Llanfairfechan – (12 miles)

A new route taken from Llanfairfechan towards Tal-y-fan in a anti clockwise direction. It was a cool winters day, but with sun on our faces, it felt warm for most the day. This route involved a significant amount of uphill and some navigation detour (just to make it harder). The range of shots here cover the hill side with wild horses, to distant mountain ranges with brooding clouds and finally sea views on the return

See and expand to see more images

4th February 2018 – Ogwen – Pen Ole Wen – Carneddau (6 miles)

First big walk of the year, became a endurance with foot high snow drifts, an icy crevasse, that needed crampons and a good dose of cool mountain air. As usual we applied some common sense, found a detour and traversed the Carneddau mountain range, opposite Tryfan, above the Ogwen lake

Pen Ole Wen from upper lake, looking North North West

Carneddau Range looking North West

Tryfan from the North East

Additional shots throughout the day. Click to see larger image

15th April 2017 – Bethesda – Carnedd Llewelyn – Bethesda (10 miles)

With some dry weather and a route we previously didnt complete, we returned to a mountain range that is 3400 feet high, taking in 5 mountain peaks on a anti clockwise circular. Technically and physically hard, we completed it in 6 hours

With steep inclines for the first 3 hours, ridges with high cold winds and ice crystals on the rocks, mist covering the route in parts, and a steep decent with a finish across a fast stream and boggy fields, it was a solid hike

8th April 2017 – Dolwyddelan Station – Siabod – Capel Curig (9 miles)

Hottest day of the year so far and we decide to do a tough South ascent of Siabod mountain, the walk in included de-forested tracks and a none existant defined path, so going was hard. Made the summit with a majority vote to exit via Capel Curig

19th February 2017 – Ponderosa Cafe – Llandegla circular (11.5 miles)

A lovely warm sunny day with little wind. While not heavy in features the walk provided good exercise and fresh air

5th February 2017 – Moel Arthur – Moel Famau (9 miles)

A fresh winters day, with occasional sun. Starting in Cilcian, walking anti clockwise to Moel Arthur, up to the summit, then up the mountain opposite to head towards Moel Famau. Interesting route from the North side, compared with South East Loggerheads that is just a uphill slog.

21st January 2017 – Capel Curig Circular (13 miles)

Another hard but interesting hike from Capel Curig, clockwise around Llyn Cowlyd and return via Llyn Crafnant. 13 miles. First set of photos using Panasonic GX8 with Commlite adapter and Canon EFS24mm prime, second half using the native 14-42mm. Cold with lots of ice, as most of route via streams, but great to be out!

6th January 2017 – Tal-y-Fan Circular (12 miles)

Decent hike today around Tal-y-Fan mountain, 11 miles with plenty of hills. Day started with lots of fog in the valley as seen in pics. Photos taken with new Panasonic DMC-GX8 and supplied 14-42mm lens